The night was spent eating, drinking and dancing among the close friends. Jessie and James took photos while Cheryl and Emerald laughed and took turns dancing with all of them making Ruby grin. He may not be able to convince his parents about Emerald yet but perhaps he could mellow them out instead. It seems to work for the stubborn Pokemon, it should work for his parents too. They were being watched by guests and photos were taken by the reporters who were invited to join them. Despite the initial excitement of seeing a Diance, they were now distracted by more juicy gossip. How did they know the youngest richest couple? What was the relationship between Ruby, Cheryl and Emerald? Since when did they know each other? Why did no one know about them or their relationship? This and so many more questions would be plastered across the magazines and newspapers the next day but now they were back at the Pokemon centre.
Ash, "Phew! Finally we are back. My feet hurt from all that dancing though."
Lucario, -Sounds like you had fun Meema.-
Ash, "We did, it was nice seeing Tomo again. By the way, James said, he would be joining Meowth in his undercover work."
Lucario nodded, -Good, he should not do this alone.-
Ash, "Why are you still up? You should be sleeping."
Lucario, -I was worried about you. I know you would be safe but still.-
Ash, "I understand. Want to cuddle?"
Lucario, -Yes, good night Meema.-
Ash, "Good night Luc."
Lucario woke up late the next day still cuddled to Ash who was still asleep. Then again, his Meema did return late at night so he got out of the hold as carefully as possible without waking him up. Ash mumbled then turned away from the light coming from the window to sleep some more grumbling incoherently. Lucario decided to order breakfast for them instead and headed down stairs after washing himself. The nurses greeted him warmly and he saw Max, Molly, Gou and May return from training sweating a little bit. They greeted him when they saw him and looked like they wanted to say something but didn't know how. Lucario sighed and told them they could talk over breakfast and for now they should order and clean up. By the time Lucario returned to their room, Ash was already up and taking a shower with Diance chirping at him about last night's party. Figures the little Princess would enjoy socializing with others a lot and it seems she danced too.
Lucario, -Meema, I ordered breakfast. The others will join us too.-.
Ash's sound came from the shower, "Okay, thanks."
Lucario hummed as he opened Ash's laptop, 'Ah! So this is what they were reacting to.'
Ash came out wiping water out of his face and fully dressed, "So, what did you order?"
Lucario, -Your usual, egg sandwich, fruit salad, mint tea and milkshake.-
Ash, "Awesome! Let's go join the rest. Then we can have breakfasts together."
Ruby greeted them, "Good morning."
Ash, "Morning Ruby, how is your feet?"
Ruby laughed, "Alive! Have you seen today's article? They are really curious about us."
Ash, "Not yet, though Lucario was looking at the news earlier."
May walked in saying, "They say you have a lesbian relationship with Emerald."
Ash blinked then burst out laughing, "Oh sweet sanity! Seriously?"
Gou joined them looking amused, "Yes, you are a woman now. A very beautiful one of course."
Molly chimed in, "Another says you are Jessi and James secret daughter."
Ash, "That explains the messages they woke me up with."
Max looked at Ash's phone where a few messages, "Those three are enjoying this too."
Jessie, :Good morning dear daughter.:
James, :I thought it was adults that adopted kids not the other way around.:
Tomo, :We are siblings now for real.:
Ash laughed, "Yeah, well the fun news aside. Ready to head out?"
Ruby, "Yup."
Gou, "Totally."
May, "Ready."
Max, "Oh yeah! Today while training we ran into this new trainer Stephanie."
Molly nodded, "She was trying to decide which Pokemon to choose as her starter."
Ash smiled, "Did you help her?"
May beamed, "They sure did. We even had a little battle between us to show her how different typings worked."
Gou puffed up, "I even caught a Wailord in the process. I had to send her to Professor Ivy though instead of Kanto."
Ruby nodded, "Wailords require large water spaces to grow healthy."
Ash, "That would make Wailord your first water type that was not a starter nor a rescue in Hoenn. Congratulations Gou!"
Gou grinned then had a thoughtful look, "Huh! Most of my Pokemon are rescues aren't they?"
Ruby, "That happens sometimes."
May, "I have a sudden desire to punch someone now."
Max nodded, "You and me both sis. Some people do not deserve to become trainers."
Molly nodded, "No they don't."
Ruby sighed, "Let's shelve this depressing talk for now. Are you ready to head out?"
Ash finished his food, "Yup!"
Gou, "Sure am. I will call for the clean up."
Ash eyed Gou, "Walk with me for a bit Gou."
Gou nodded, "Sure!"
Ash lead him a outside, "What happened?"
Gou sighed, "Last night after you left, I went out for a walk, like I normally do."
Ash nodded, "Yes something happened that time."
Gou, "I saw my Crobat act funny. I had trained him to recognize the obvious marks of Team Rocket, Team Aqua and Team Magma."
Ash narrowed his eyes, "One of them was here? Was it Team Aqua?"
Gou shook his head, "Team Magma, they were locked in a battle with a Captain Stern from museum. I helped him fight them off."
Ash, "Museum? What were they after?"
Gou, "That is the weird part. It was a volcanic rock. It was from under the sea of course, but it was still a rock."
Ash frowned, "You are right. That is very strange. While volcanic rocks are rare. They are not exactly useful outside of scientific studies and jewelry."
Gou, "Exactly which makes me wonder if it was just a distraction for something else."
Ruby walked over, "The museum has not reported anything else missing so it was not at the museum if that were the case. Sorry, I overheard and had to check it out."
Ash, "We understand, Ruby, it is your region."
Ruby snickered, "And I seem to get more information on the two teams staying closer to you guys then from my informants. It has started to make me worry."
Gou frowned, "That you have a spy among your informants."
Ruby, "Yes, I am afraid so."
Ash, "Maybe Steven and Wallace can help you find the mole. Even Emerald, she has been itching to release some of her energy but her Doctor forbade her from battling."
Ruby, "She complained to you about that, huh? Maybe you are right. This could show my parents she is more worthy then they believe."
Ash, "Exactly, she will prove she is better then any other girl while also releasing her pent up frustrations."
Gou, "Emerald.. So you and Emerald are together?"
Ruby, "Not yet, I am hoping to mellow out my parents to the idea. Might as well start now. I will give her a call while we wait for May, Max and Molly."
Gou watched him dial a number, "I suppose they would make a cute couple."
Ash, "I hope their parents do not interfere in their lives too much."
Gou raised an eyebrow, "You did something?"
Ash, "Remember the Porygon I got as a gift?"
Gou, "Yes... Oh don't tell me!"
Ash, "I asked them to see what they can gather on his parents. Ruby agreed of course, though I think it is mainly because he is worried they might do something illegal."
Gou, "Ah! Those rumours about them supporting Team Aqua and Magma. I hope those are false."
Ash, "There has been no solid proof so far. We hope it stays that way. I don't want anyone else to face what my family did with Team Rocket before."
Ruby, "Emerald, help me find a few spies among my informants."
Emerald, :Oh ho! What's this? You usually lecture me to rest.:
Ruby, "I was but I had a talk with Ash and we agreed it would be better if you had an outlet for your frustration instead."
Emerald, :Agreed! I do feel copped up here.:
Ruby, "So, you will do it?"
Emerald, :Hunt down some traitors? Most definitely. Leave them to me. I will get you solid evidence too.:
Ruby thanked her then joined the rest, "I will be fine Ash. Do not worry."
Ash, "Done talking?"
May, "Sorry we are late."
Molly, "I could not find my ribbon."
Max, "It was with her Lotad. She really likes pretty ribbons."
Molly, "I think I will be joining contests for her."
Ash, "Of course, for now. Let's go to the next city."
Ruby, "Mauville City is across that forest."
Max, "Cool! Let's go!"
They left the bustling city among the gossip and speculation about Cheryl's non existing love life and threesomes. It was hilarious in Ash's opinion though Lucario found it exhausting to keep up with. The crazy theories going over his head most of the time and one actually asked if Cheryl was a Pokemon's bride. Not under his watch, no one human or Pokemon was touching his Meema that way. They would have to go through him and other protective Pokemon first. Not to forget Diance herself would probably throw rock blasts at them once she realizes the meaning behind those words and gestures. The forest was cool and calming unlike the loud City and Ash welcomed the change with a deep breath. The Pokemon wee happy to be in a wild area again but Ruby warned them not to enter the red and black zones. The area was active with Pokemon turf wars due to mating season for certain typings.
Ash looked at the younger Pokemon, "Stay close you guys. I think I hear some Ursarings were in the middle of mating too."
Gou nodded hearing a growl, "I can hear their distinct roars. Damn!"
May listened hearing a roar, "Those are Ursarings. Dang! They sound angry."
Max, "I hope we do not run into them."
Molly, "Me too."
Ruby, "We will stay away from the affected areas so we will be safe."
Ash nodded in agreement a they planned out routes they could take using Ruby's map that had more details. There were places they could train without making the wild life feel threatened and not to forget the poke egg Ash had won was now threatening to burst open. It had refused to hatch so far, maybe the forest would be the lucky place for it to hatch. Ash looked at the egg he had received and could not help but worry about it wondering if someone messed with it before he got it. He would not put it past a legendary Pokemon to do so. Just look at his situation, he is still Meems to a Diance who is a Legendary from Kalos. Of course he loves his little Princess but he can't help but wonder what it all meant in the long run.
Lucario, -Meema are you worried about the little one?-
Ash, "Mn... They should have been born by now. I am worried something is wrong."
Lucario frowned, -Are you worried the Pokemon egg meant for you was replaced by a Legendary one?-
Ash, "Please do not say such scary things Lucario. As much as I love Diance I would not be able to explain two Legendary babies."
Lucario, -True I apologize Meema. Do not worry we will.... Oh! They are hatching.-
May saw the glow, "The baby is finally coming."
Ruby, "Give then space."
Gou, "Finally Ash has been worried about that one."
Molly giggled, "I wonder what Pokemon it will be."
Max, "Maybe Ash can stop worrying now."
Ash's eyes twinkled as the glow stopped, "Oh! Welcome you beautiful baby. Look Diance you are a big sister now."
Diance chirped as she looked at the baby Ralts, "Diance."
Ralts yawned, "Raaaa."
Ash, "You had me so worried. I am glad you are finally here."
Eevee, "Vui."
Abra, -Welcome to the family little sister.-
Phanphy, "Phanphy."